Local firms urged to tap into Chinese deals Some of the businesspeople who attended the Chronicle business breakfast meeting on Wednesday.
Some of the businesspeople who attended the Chronicle business breakfast meeting on Wednesday.

Some of the businesspeople who attended the Chronicle business breakfast meeting on Wednesday.

Business Reporter
THE government has urged local industries to organise themselves in order to participate in the implementation of bulk infrastructure development projects to be rolled out in the country with assistance from China.
President Mugabe signed several investment agreements during his recent visit to China, which are set to unlock the country’s economic potential and create jobs for ordinary Zimbabweans.
The deals, that run into millions of dollars, are focused on prioritising energy production, railway network upgrading and rehabilitation, widening and dualisation of major roads, resuscitation of the National Railways of Zimbabwe, expansion of modern information and communication systems, upgrading of NetOne among other projects in agriculture, tourism and industrial infrastructure development.

During Wednesday’s Chronicle business breakfast meeting in Bulawayo, participants quizzed Transport and Infrastructure Development Minister Dr Obert Mpofu and his Industry and Commerce counterpart Mike Bimha on how local firms would benefit from the Chinese deals.

In his response, Dr Mpofu said local industry participation was guaranteed and urged those interested to register with relevant ministries for tenders.

“The involvement of local industries is there. What you need is to organise yourselves so that you participate in the bidding process for tenders. Businesses in Harare have started submitting their documents to my ministry and I was worried to learn that no submission has come from Matabeleland,” said Dr Mpofu.

“My directors are there and some are here. Approach our offices and register your participation.”

Bimha said the on-going government initiatives on the economic front would start bearing fruit soon.

“I see a lot of light at the end of the tunnel. I’m more optimistic that as we go towards the end of the year, there will be fruition to some of these engagements we’re doing now,” he said.

The participants applauded the government for the promising deals and called for their speedy implementation to save jobs and existing industry from collapse.

Finance and Economic Development Minister Patrick Chinamasa is on record as saying the government has started conducting feasibility studies for the earmarked projects to meet the funding conditions.

 

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